LOS ANGELES: After seeing five players sent home for allegedly testing positive for an illegal substance, Mexico continued its dominant form at the 2011 Gold Cup, beating Cub 5-0 for its second consecutive five goal victory. In the other Group A match, Costa Rica stumbled to a draw with lowly El Salvador. Still, the two sides will meet in the final group match to determine who finished number one in the group. Javier Hernandez and Giovani Dos Santos scored two goals apiece and Mexico overcame the distraction of a potential doping scandal to beat Cuba 5-0 on Thursday night. Mexico did get off to a sluggish start, but put the match away with a three-goal burst in a five minute span midway through the second half. Dos Santos scored twice during the flurry that overwhelmed Cuba, which has been outscored 10-0 in its two matches. Aldo De Negris also scored before Hernandez's second goal secured Mexico to move atop Group A. In the other group A match, Costa Rican substitute Randall Brenes scored in the closing seconds of stoppage time for a 1-1 draw with El Salvador. Brenes, who entered in the match in 80th minute, sent in a low shot from inside the box that beat Miguel Montes to the far post as Costa Rica remained unbeaten in Group A after a 5-0 win over Cuba on Sunday. Rodolfo Zelaya scored from a free kick in the 45th minute for El Salvador, which had withstood Costa Rica's second-half surge until the closing seconds. Costa Rica is most likely through to the quarterfinals even as they play Mexico in the final match. El Salvador has a solid chance to advance as well, depending on their final match results versus Cuba and the scores in the final group matches elsewhere. BM
